Not ashamed
For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God—for whom and through whom all things exist—should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. Hebrews 2:10-11 CSB
Starting a final section of the chapter, the author of Hebrews wanted the reader to listen to Jesus because He can provide help to those who are tempted, providing salvation. Jesus Christ’ death on the cross was “entirely appropriate,” or in other translations, “fitting.” Yesterday, we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, and yet, when we talk about the cross, rarely do we think of the act of His death on the cross as “entirely appropriate,” but it was all according to God’s plan. Hebrews 2:9, “by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone—crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death” points to the fact that Jesus is the “pioneer of their salvation,” made complete or “perfect through sufferings.” He tasted death so He could provide salvation and thus, produce “many sons and daughters.” It is only through the coming of Jesus into this world and suffer death at the cross that those who become God’s sons and daughters through faith in Him will be sanctified and be restored in relationship with Him, being forgiven of their sin. It was through His sufferings that He obtain glory for those who believed in Him. He became the pioneer so that those who will follow Him will anticipate that they too will go through sufferings in life and realize the glory that awaits them. We can see this in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.” And God is capable of doing this, because all of creation, “for whom and through whom all things exist” for Him. We can see this in John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.” Because of the redemptive act of salvation, if we become believers and followers of Jesus, our relationship with God is restored. “For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.” We are united as a family through Christ. “That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.” God’s work of perfecting His own, His sons and daughters, is a work of holiness that began after they have trusted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. He will do this work of sanctification until the end of time; it is a lifelong process. What a privilege to be called the brothers and sisters of Christ. Praise the Lord that Jesus is not ashamed to restore us into having a personal relationship with Him.
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
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